Former New England Patriots defensive tackle Tommy Kelly went off on his old team.

Kelly, who tore his ACL last season, was surprisingly released in late August after taking a pay cut to stay with the Patriots. Kelly told ESPN.com after signing with the Arizona Cardinals that he “kinda asked” to be cut by the Patriots.

“I saw the situation and I realized I probably wouldn’t be there,” Kelly told the Cardinals’ website. “I couldn’t take busting my tail every day getting to a game and them taking me out of the game for someone who I know isn’t better than me, because he’s a cheaper option. Are we worried about money here? Or are we worried about winning?”

Kelly had a solid preseason with the Patriots as he appeared 100 percent recovered from knee surgery. Kelly is making the veteran minimum — $955,000 — for the Cardinals.